Health Matters ~ It's About the Little Things We Do Every Day

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Wouldn’t you love to have ‘smarter kids? I don’t mean that in a bad way because all kids are smart. My own grandkids are teaching me about texting, FB and creating videos, etc. What I’m talking about is ability to learn and retain information.

Do they have trouble with math, reading, science? The cause could be out of your control in the school setting (unless you want to become an activist). There are steps you can take at home. Ensure your family is getting the proper sleep, exercise, nutrition, as well as breathing clean air and drinking pure water.

Please beware of the chemical ingredients in toothpaste. I was thinking of things kids are taught to do at an early age. Brushing their teeth was at the top of the list. Next was washing their hands properly. The video below shares some info about toothpaste. My goal is to educate … make you aware … not to scare you.

This subject is very close to my heart as I believe the pharmaceutical industry (as well as the food industry) is abusing us – especially our kids. I also think they are abusing doctors with their aggressive and unethical marketing. Many of the drugs have not gone through significant testing.

A healthy young child will be full of energy and they will ask tons of questions – seemingly nonstop. It’s a new world for them – an amazing world and one I think we’ve lost sight of as adults. Kids are also gifted and learn in many different ways. Schools are trying to put them into boxes and so many have cut out the creative classes like art and music where many kids used to find release for their genius. Have you noticed in many schools there is no recess? These kids have an awful time in school. What happens with young teens who are going through hormonal changes? They become like carbonated drinks that get shaken. What happens when you take the lid off?

The first answer is NOT drugs! Take a look and try some of the following suggestions:

1. Severely limit or eliminate fructose from your child’s diet as sugar/fructose has been linked to mental health problems such as depression and schizophrenia.

2. Avoid giving your child ANY processed foods, especially those containing artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. This includes lunch meats and hot dogs, which are common food staples in many households.

3. Replace soft drinks, fruit juices, and pasteurized milk with pure water. This is HUGE since high fructose corn syrup is a primary source of calories in children.

4. Make sure your child is getting large regular doses of healthy bacteria, either with high quality fermented organic foods and/or high quality probiotic supplements.

6. Include as many whole organic foods as possible in your child’s diet, both to reduce chemical exposure and increase nutrient content of each meal.

7. Also reduce or eliminate grains from your child’s diet. Yes, even healthy organic whole grains can cause problems as they too break down into sugars.

Additionally, whole wheat in particular contains high amounts of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), which can have adverse effects on mental health due to its neurotoxic actions. Wheat also inhibits production of serotonin, the largest concentration of which can, again, be found in your intestines, not your brain. Try eliminating them first for 1-2 weeks and see if you don’t notice a radical and amazing improvement in your child’s behavior.

8. Avoid artificial sweeteners of all kinds.

9. Make sure your child gets plenty of exercise and outdoor playtime.

10. Get them out into the sun to help maintain optimal vitamin D levels. Scientists are now beginning to realize vitamin D is involved in maintaining the health of your brain, as they’ve recently discovered vitamin D receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system. There’s even evidence indicating vitamin D improves your brain’s detoxification process. For children and pregnant women, getting enough vitamin D is especially crucial, as it may play a major role in protecting infants from autism.

11. Give your child a way to address his or her emotions. Even children can benefit from the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which you or an EFT practitioner can teach them to use.

12. Prevent exposure to toxic metals and chemicals by replacing personal care products, detergents and household cleaners with all natural varieties. Metals like aluminum, cadmium, lead and mercury are commonly found in thousands of different food products, household products, personal products and untold numbers of industrial products and chemicals. The presence of toxic metals in your child’s body is highly significant for they are capable of causing serious health problems by interfering with normal biological functioning. The health effects range from minor physical ailments to chronic diseases, and altered mood and behavior.

Another school year in session. Many parents today are struggling to find ways to keep their children healthy especially while in school where colds and runny noses run rampant.

They make sure the children have a healthy breakfast and vitamins to help offset the lack of nourishment in today’s foods and then to find out that the vitamins are NOT what they’re supposed to be. Read the Washington CNN report .. These vitamins don’t have in the bottle what the label says.

Parents who purchased NBTY children’s vitamins have until October 12 to file a claim.

Already another school year started in some places and will be in full swing across our great nation within the next few weeks. Are you ready? Are your children?

As a parent who worked full time while my three children attended, I remember well how hectic it can be trying to get back on some semblance of a schedule after summer break.

Getting enough rest – I didn’t then and I don’t now know any child that wants to go to bed while the sun is still shining.

A proper breakfast – sugar-laden cereal is not the answer. My kids used to be excited to see their friends again, they definitely didn’t need the sugar high … It’s also extremely difficult for the teachers.

Lunch – Will they bring it or eat at school? What’s on the menu? Is it protein or carbs? Will it help keep them alert or make them sluggish and tired?

Involved in sports or other activities – Do they have whatever clothes or instruments they need to participate?

After school snacks – Peanuts, fruit, veggies like carrot sticks – just something to munch that’s good for them and will tide them over until the evening meal.

Getting their homework done – Crucial for the children to do the lessons so they learn the concepts but also builds their self esteem when they do well. These children also tend to be happier.

I found that by having a schedule, I was able to keep up with things. Using one calendar with lots of space and different colors for each person, it was easier to see who had what scheduled and if there were any conflicts. This was posted front and center on the fridge. We have smart phones today, so I use Google and share calendars – again using different colors.

At the time I would get home after the kids (I really hated latchkey or even having someone else take care of them). They had their homework to work on and I normally checked it after dinner. I definitely had a menu and shopped accordingly – usually on a Saturday after I got the second load of clothes in the washer and the first in the dryer.

The kids learned early on about planning for the next day having their clothes set out and book bags near the door. Breakfast routine, grab lunch bag, pick up the bag and head to the car in record time every morning. We always tried to make Sunday our Church and family day so Saturday was packed with getting the house straight and ‘cleaned’ up. They learned how to sort clothes, wash windows (they could reach), dust, vacuum, mop floors, make beds etc. We would usually make it a game and see how quickly we could get it done. Most times, we were able to have it done in a couple of hours which gave us play time.

Today, I work at home which definitely offers time flexibility. My main issue is interruptions but I’m happy with those because it means I am here if needed and I know what they’re watching and who they’re with. The two main things that helped the most was using a schedule and menu planning. I do the same things now; however now I no longer worry about daycare and can go to the different functions working my internet business into my life – rather than my ‘job’ running my life.

If you have any tips or tricks that make your life easier, please share them.

Just recently I learned of this short video “A Wake-Up Story” which is primarily aimed at children. IMHO, I feel EVERYONE regardless of age needs to watch it and then forward to everyone they know. Awareness of the little things we can do to make a beneficial change can make all the difference – especially when it comes to our precious children, seniors and our own health.

I had the following 12 Rules You Can Live By up in a frame while my kids were growing up and have them up again for the grandkids. They seemed to help lessen my stress levels (way back when). Maybe they’ll help you:

If you open it – close it;

If you turn it on – turn it off;

If you unlock it – lock it;

If you move it – put it back;

If it belongs to someone else and you want it – get permission;

If you borrow it – return it;

If you don’t know how to operate it – leave it alone;

If you use it – take care of it;

If you break it – repair it;

If you can’t fix it – call someone who can;

If you mess it up – clean it up;

If it will brighten someone’s day – say or do it.

As a Mom and Grandmom, I am continuously looking for ways to lessen the stress levels and have realized that structure and routine are very important to children (of any age – my own included). Looking for the positive side in life’s happenings also makes for healthier, happier times, but I’ll cover that in a future post.

Cleaning house is not a little matter and can have far-reaching health effects; whether you’re a cleaning fanatic or someone like me who cleans when you’ll see the difference. It’s all in what is used. Toxins in our homes – mainly the chemicals in our cleaning products – are being linked more and more often with many of the diseases that are rapidly taking control of our lives. Have you noticed the rise in numbers of children diagnosed with asthma and cancer?

(LittleThingsDoMatter) The health of our babies and children are once again at risk – babies from six months through school-age children. Please watch this short 7-minute video and read what Dr. Mercola has to say. It is our responsiblity to educate ourselves in order to protect our children. It is our responsibility and right to protect our children. STOP depending on your state or the government to watch out for you. They want to immunize our babies and children when their immune systems haven’t even had the chance to develop!